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ANIMAL WATCH - On July 27, a sad message on her Go-Fund-Me page informed supporters that a young Dennison, Texas mother, Lindsay Stroup, had succumbed to the massive injuries she sustained during a vicious attack by two Pit Bulls she was “dog-sitting” for a friend.
An earlier news announcement, by reporter Harriet Rigby and follow-up reports on a Go-Fund-Me page had indicated that Lindsay was at first recovering from the tragic event, during which she was saved by her six-year-old daughter, Lily, grabbing her mother’s phone, locking herself in the bathroom while calling 911, and the quick arrival by emergency responders.
Lindsay was considered “lucky to be alive” due to the violence and tenacity of the attack, which was witnessed and vividly described by the child.
According to the report, “It was only 7:30 in the morning when the two dogs began fighting, and quickly turned on Lindsay,” Lily’s father, Thomas Goligowski, told KXII News, as he explained what his daughter had relayed to him: “She witnessed her mother on the ground, rolling around, being attacked by numerous dogs, he said, “It's a very intense situation for my family.”
“Even if you think you know these animals, they can still flip a switch without you even being aware of that switch being inside of them,” he added.
Media reports credited the 6-year-old with maintaining her composure under the extremely dangerous conditions and while witnessing the savage attack on her mother, stating, “It's amazing that the little girl had the presence of mind to get herself to safety and call for help for her mother.”
The Dennison police reportedly arrived within minutes, and the two large Pit Bulls attempted to attack the officers, which caused the police to instantly fatally shoot one, while the other ran back into the house and succumbed to it’s wounds.
The officers then provided first aid to Lindsay before paramedics arrived and she was transferred to a local hospital.
LILY, 6, ALSO CONSOLED HER FATHER
Thomas Goligowski credited Lily for her quick actions, stating, “She definitely saved her mom’s life.” He continued that Lily had also consoled and encouraged him. “She’s told me: ‘Dad, Mom’s going to be OK. I know Mom’s going to be OK. Don’t be sad, Dad. She’s going to be fine.”
At that time Lindsay Stroup had undergone several surgeries, but still had a lengthy hospital stay ahead of her, according to a GoFundMe to help the family.
In an update shared Sunday, the family announced she “was taken off propofol, a sedative, and has opened her eyes,” and it was also reported that “she is expected to recover thanks to her brave little girl's quick action, but it will be a long road ahead for their family.”
Earlier reports had asked on the GoFundMe page for “thoughts and prayers,” and described her developing challenges and described her fight to live in a hopeful chronology of developments and treatment:.
- July 19th, 2025 by Holly Stroup, Organizer
“Lindsay is about to start temporary dialysis now. improving but still hard to tell, more updates to come as soon as we know. please pray and keep her in your thoughts as there is still a long ways to go.”
- July 20th, 2025 by Holly Stroup, Organizer
“Lindsay is off the propofol and has opened her eyes, nodded her head and grimaced. She is going to receive another unit of blood but is improving.”
- July 20th, 2025 by Holly Stroup, Organizer
“Lindsay is getting less medicine to keep her sedated and will hopefully be more awake soon. Her progress is looking positive but even still, there is a long road ahead. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts as time progresses because anything is still possible.”
A SAD TURN FOR THE WORSE
- July 23rd, 2025 by Holly Stroup, Organizer
“Lindsay is having a setback and they are reintubating her (ventilator) and put her back on dialysis :(.”
- July 24th, 2025 by Holly Stroup, Organizer
“Please continue to keep Lindsay in your thoughts and prayers. Right now she is facing high levels of ammonia and her pupils were not reactive earlier this morning. she is still receiving dialysis and other medications to help fight this. she needs all the help she can get right now.”
- July 27th Today by Holly Stroup, Organizer
Unfortunately, Lindsay has been declared brain dead and did not make it. Thank you for all your love and support during this time. I will update for when celebration of life will be at a later date.
WHY ARE PIT BULLS EXCUSED FOR KILLING?
Rather than blaming the innocent—like Lindsay Stroup for trusting their safety and that of their children with Pit Bulls, it is time to look more closely at the tragedies like this, resulting from the very emotional and professional propaganda campaigns about Pit Bulls that cause so many young, animal-loving people--like Lindsay—to feel obligated to trust them to the point of losing their lives, and often the lives of their children and/or pets, attempting to care for them.
As a society, we also need to demand more honesty and responsibility from the multi-million dollar animal “rescue” organizations that claim the breed is just misunderstood; and, as with any advertising campaigns, hold them liable for the sacrifice of lives of the vulnerable who trust their assurances and their pleas that they must all be saved.
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee and a long-time animal welfare advocate. A contributor to CityWatchLA, she is known for her investigative reporting on animal shelter operations, misuse of public funds, and the dangers of poorly regulated pet adoption policies. She is a strong proponent of public safety in animal control, advocating for stricter oversight of aggressive dog breeds, especially pit bulls, and for breed-specific legislation.)
